Rugby: Springboks set to field a depleted squad against England

The Springboks will be missing their overseas-based contingent when they take on England in Twickenham next month.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 09: Faf de Klerk for the Springboks during the 2018 Castle Lager Incoming Series match between South Africa and England at Emirates Airline Park on June 09, 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

The Springboks are set to square off against England in the first Test of their year-end tour with a depleted squad, Talk Rugby Union reports.

The two countries meet at Twickenham on 3 November, a date which falls outside World Rugby’s international window, meaning clubs are not obligated to release their players for the fixture.

Already, the Sale Sharks – where scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is plying his trade – have already indicated that the player will not be released for the duration of the tour, which spans four weeks from the England game to the final Test against Wales on 24 November.

According to Sport24, the club confirmed that there had been no provision made in discussions with SA Rugby to allow the player to join up with the Springboks for the tour.

Four more England-based players who have been part of the Bok setup are also set to miss out on at least the first fixture of the tour.

Wasps fullback Willie le Roux, Gloucester lock Franco Mostert, Bath flanker Francois Louw, as well as Vincent Koch, who was called up from the Saracens for the last round of the Rugby Championship are all in doubt for the year-end tour.

Another key player in question is the Japan-based Duane Vermeulen, who was unavailable for the latter part of the Rugby Championship, despite coach Rassie Erasmus’ best efforts to have him released by his club, the Kubota Steelers.

An earlier report by Netwerk24 suggested that a deal had been struck which will avail the burly eighthman for the year-end tour.